Business Wire - April 21, 2003

Pure Protein will use soluble HLA protein in its Proteome Expression Profiling (PEP) technology to discover virus-associated antigens from inside the HCV infected cells. By comparing differences between peptides in the HCV cell lines and healthy cell lines, Pure Protein can directly discover which proteins and antigens are unique to diseased cells. Promising targets will be licensed to vaccine and drug designers.

Pure Protein CSO, William Hildebrand, Ph.D., commented, "This project expands on our HIV work in which we discovered a range of novel virus associated antigens and will allow us to move forward in the effort to characterize viral-host interaction for all the major virus families. In the first phase alone, the HIV project has yielded over 15 new targets for immunotherapy or drug intervention."

Tony Taylor, Business Development Vice President, added: "Pure Protein has enjoyed an excellent reception rolling out its suite of vaccine validation and discovery services. Pure Protein's use of HLA/MHC molecules as a natural proteome sampling tool has enabled us to quickly and efficiently find relevant antigens for immunotherapeutics as well as targets for drugs and diagnostics."

Pure Protein L.L.C. is commercializing innovative HLA-based technologies for discovery and development of novel immunotherapeutics and small molecule drug targets. The company has research and business collaborations with several major corporate and academic partners in North America and Europe. For more information, visit the Pure Protein Web site at www.pureproteinllc.com.

Pure Protein L.L.C. was founded in 1999 by Emergent Technologies Inc. (ETI) and its investment partnerships. ETI is a venture capital firm that specializes in forming, funding, commercializing, and managing biotech companies for the purpose of converting institutional and university-based technology into high return ventures. Its unique process matches breakthrough technology with commercialization partners who can validate the market potential and expeditiously bring the technology to market. Visit its Web site at www.emergenttechnologies.com

CONTACT: Pure Protein L.L.C., Austin

Tony Taylor, 512/263-3232, ext. 210

SOURCE: Pure Protein L.L.C.

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